Allahabad HC issues notice to online portals for advertising and soliciting of lawyers
The Bench of Justices Devendra Kumar Arora and Rajan Roy issued notice in a petition filed by advocate Yash Bharadwaj bringing to light the “commercial exploitation of the noble legal profession” by these online portals.
It is Bharadwaj’s contention that these portals are publishing advertisements showing that they have picked the best lawyers in country, which is a violation of Rules 36 and 37 of the St andards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette framed under the Bar Council of India Rules. These provisions state as follows:
“36. An advocate shall not solicit work or advertise, either directly or indirectly, whether by circulars, advertisements, touts, personal communications, interviews not warranted by personal relations, furnishing or inspiring newspaper comments or producing his photographs to be published in connection with cases in which he has been engaged or concerned…
37. An advocate shall not permit his professional services or his name to be used in aid of, or to make possible, the unauthorised practice of law by any law agency.”
It was also argued that the online portals are unauthorized agencies of law, which have neither been recognized nor affiliated with Bar Council of India (BCI) or any State Bar Council or the Central or State Government, and “tinker with the legal profession in a manner which suits their financial interest”.
